Shoalhaven Starches will pay more than $170,000 for projects that benefit the local community and environment as part of an Enforceable Undertaking with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The EPA negotiated the legally binding agreement after a 2024 incident at the company’s Bomaderry site, where a grain silo collapsed and spilled over 2,000 tonnes of wheat grain into the Shoalhaven River.
NSW EPA Executive Director of Operations Stephen Beaman said the Enforceable Undertaking ensures the company takes responsibility for the incident, which had the potential to cause significant environmental harm.
"This was an incredibly serious incident, and the EPA took immediate action to protect the community and the environment,” Mr Beaman said.
"If the company had not taken immediate steps to contain and remove the grain from the river, the impact from the massive release of nutrients and organic matter would have been severe.
"While water monitoring by Shoalhaven Starches and the EPA showed no significant environmental harm to the river as a result of the silo collapse, the incident warranted strong regulatory action.
“Enforceable Undertakings allow us to hold companies legally accountable for addressing environmental issues and ultimately deliver tangible and long-term benefits, including meaningful corrective action, for both the environment and affected communities.”
Under the Enforceable Undertaking, Shoalhaven Starches will:
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fund the installation of track racks on a local creek to improve waterway health
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deliver foreshore protection and bank‑stabilisation works
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support rehabilitation projects
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and install fish‑cleaning stations.
In addition to actions required under the Enforceable Undertaking (EU), the EPA has directed Shoalhaven Starches to engage an independent expert to conduct an Environmental Hazard Analysis (EHA) to help prevent future pollution incidents. The EHA is expected to be completed in late 2026.
The company must also keep the community informed about its operations and improvements to pollution prevention by establishing a community consultative committee.
The cause of the silo collapse remains unknown and is the subject of an active investigation with Safework NSW.
Contact details:
EPA MEDIA | TESS GIBNEY | 0456 053 522
24-hour Media Line (02) 9995 6415 [email protected]
